Our Handsome Little Man

The Daddy

The Mommy

The Family

Friday, August 20, 2010

I don't know if its because we're parents or if I'm just starting to feel old (hey I'm going to be 27 soon that's kinda old right?!?!) or maybe I still don't really feel my age yet. I'm not sure of the reasoning, but I've been thinking about my past. Wondering if this is the future I had envisioned for myself, is this where I wanted to be at this point in my life? Its so weird to look back on the goals we had and the dreams we use to dream, but as I think about it, it may not be exactly where I thought I'd be but I'm not unhappy with it either by any means.

At this point in my life I always thought I'd have a degree and be working in that field, but I'm not. I joined the Air Force instead and went in a different direction for awhile. It is definitely not a decision that I regret, but am actually quite happy about. Without that path in life I wouldn't have some of the most amazing people in my life. I seriously have built the most amazing family around myself and couldn't ask for a better one (I love you guys!). Without that path I wouldn't have this amazing man that I'm married to or this amazing little guy that we are honored to call our son. Seriously to have a child like him is truly an honor! He is beautiful beyond belief and the happiest little man I have ever met in my life. I really couldn't imagine life without him.

I am in school and about half way done with my degree. I am super excited about that, but at the same time I don't know if I'll ever use my degree. I had big plans of what my future would hold and had always thought that I'd be a working woman and not necessarily a stay at home mom (although I always wanted a child, but to be a working mom of course), but now I can't imagine not being here and seeing that amazing little person grow! I even want more children! Lots more children! I'd love and be honored to have four more amazing children in our home (the hubby says two more so we shall see what the future holds) and I'd love to stay home with all of them. I'd love to take them to school, to ball practice, dance, singing, instrument or whatever else they want to do with their time. I want to learn to make beautiful cakes for each of their special events and birthdays!

Its amazing to see that these goals can change so gradually over the years and then all at once when you hold your child for the first time. I feel so lucky and privileged to be able to stay at home and not have to work. I love cooking dinner and making our home a home everyday for when my hubby gets off work. I love seeing my hubby's face light up and my son's when he walks in the door. Its all these little things that so many overlook daily that I'm just soaking in and enjoying every minute of it. I love that I can still see my husband's eyes light up when he walks in the door or finds me in a crowd. I love that my son reaches for me, sleeps on my chest, and lights up when I sing him his favorite song. Its these small beautiful things that I look forward to each day now. Its strange that I don't strive to be that crazy workaholic I longed to be when I was a teenager, but I truly and thoroughly enjoy this life. The simiplicity of it. The loving nature of it.

If you knew me at all its probably weird for you to think of me as a stay at home mom and to even think I'm content in this new role in my life. Maybe when my child(ren) are in school I'll work again. Until then I will cherish every last minute with them and my hubby until they move out on their own. I guess maybe I've truly grown up.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

**I would like to start off by saying that I was in no way paid for this review. That I was afforded the opportunity to have a Medela Mommy Party with the other mommies of the local area because they did send the supplies necessary to make it happen.**

I was super excited when I was picked to host a Mommy Party by Medela and quite honestly I had never really seen any of their products. I was amazed by everything they did send though. They sent an actual In style pump and accessories for either myself to keep or to give away. I thought this would be a great opportunity for us military wives/mommies to get together and have a good ole time. This would also be a great opportunity to talk about adoption and that they too can breastfeed their adoptive children.

I was not in need of a pump but wanted to find someone who would be in need of one and didn't just want to raffle it off to someone who didn't really need it and then have them sell it later because hey I could do that myself after all! Well I did find someone who was in actual need of a breast pump. Our friend Valerie is in the process of adopting from the Urkaine. She plans on breastfeeding her child and needs to start preparing herself for this. One of the steps would be to start pumping and as you know adopting and the cost of adopting is a lot so I was excited that through this Mommy Party we would be able to help her!

She was super excited about it all as well because it was just one less expense that they would have to worry about on this journey to adoption. We had the Mommy Party today in her home. It was fantabulous if I do say so myself. She was excited! Everyone who came was excited! They were a little unsure of what was going on and thought that I was going to try to sell them the products (you know like pampered chef, mary kay and what not), but they were so thrilled to see that there was absolutely no pressure to buy a thing! That it was full products for one lucky person and samples for everyone else! Many of the women knew of Medela and many had even tried their products and many were still using them and they were very excited to see that Medela did this sort of no pressure get their name out their event.

Many were unaware that the Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags even existed and they thought they were the neatest and most convienent things ever! They were even more thrilled to see that they got a few sample bags in the gift bags that Medela supplied for the guests!

We all ate together and had a really good time and conversation. I actually had games all planned out and we were just talking. We talked so much about breastfeeding, how to wean your child, the struggles that go with it, and how not only women who give birth can breastfeed their children, but also how adoptive mothers can breastfeed their adoptive children. I can honestly say I would never of had half these conversations if it wasn't for the Medela Mommy Party and I'm very greatful for the opportunity to learn more! I can honestly say everyone had a great time and were really impressed with the products, that there was no sale pitch whatsoever and they loved the samples! Medela really sold these women (and myself) on what an amazing company they are and have the products to prove that! We did open up everything and everyone got to inspect and see how nice the breast pump and bag is. They loved the new compact size and how it can be used as a diaper bag! Val is so excited that she has something that she can bring with her on this journey now as well.

This is the wonderful and amazing Val (holding my darling baby boy) and soon to be adoptive mommy! There were many other beautiful and amazing women there as well, but I don't like posting pics without peoples permission, so you get Val and my baby boy! LOL.

The Medela Mommy Party was a total hit and it is definitely a product that I know I would recommend to anyone who asked along with the mommies who attended as well. We loved this approach on getting their name out there and it really did give us more of an open forum to discuss things we probably wouldn't have in a normal setting. Thank you Medela for giving use this wondeful opportunity. You've made use some happy military wives :)

Oh man have migraines been kicking my butt lately! I have had a few in the last few weeks...maybe I need to drink more water or could it possibly be stress? No, idea what is going on but man I had one Monday thought I got over it and woke up even sicker on Tuesday. I could barely stand in the shower I was so icky feeling and literally vomitted in the middle of it! Thank goodness for the best baby boy in the whole world though. We hung out in bed for a good few hours until I could pull myself together and he just played with this little cow toy and took a nap with me and didn't fuss once. Like I said WORLD'S BEST BABY BOY EVER!

Today I am having a Medela MommyParty. How cool is that right?!?! They sent free products and I mean an actual breast pump and full size products for our lucky host and free samples for the people coming to our party! I wasn't in the need for a breastpump but asked a friend who I knew would need one if she would be interested in hosting the party and she would get the free pump and products! She of course said yes cause she is just awesome like that! She has a bio child but her family has decided to adopt and she plans on breastfeeding her child/children. Yes, adoptive mothers can breastfeed! How freaking cool is that?!?! Look out for my review and pics of the MommyParty!

I am totally and completely in love with these Gro Baby diapers! I believe they are now called GroVia. They are freaking awesome! I was given some from a woman on base who didn't need/want them anymore and we used them to go for a drive over the weekend and they didn't leak or anything. They were easy to dispose of and are eco friendly for those of you that enjoy being Green :) I love cloth but hate carrying stinky wet diapers with me so this is a great alternative since a cloth insert snaps right inside of them for when we're home. We won't use many of the disposable inserts when we're in our own town but if we go for a couple hour drive to a nearby site they're super great! I even ordered another shell from http://www.franklingoose.com/ because that site seriously rocks!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

We tried a new recipe last night. I didn't care for it. I personally thought it was kinda bland, but the hubby enjoyed, so maybe next time I'll mix in some green chiles and maybe a can of tomatoes? I'm not sure yet I just know it needs something, but who knows maybe you'll enjoy it as is!

Taco Twist Casserole

1lb ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 jar taco sauce

1 16oz box rotini noodles

bag of shredded cheddar cheese

sm thing of sour cream

brown the ground beef, drain, add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water.. let simmer.. also cook your noodles.. when all thats done. mix sour cream and a cup of shredded cheese in with your noodles.. then line a casserole dish with the noodles. put a layer of taco sauce.. add the ground beef, do another layer of sauce. top with cheese, bake until cheese is melted.

so I'm not sure if I didn't put down a temp or if there just wasn't one at all but I stuck it in the oven at about 350 degrees and waited for everything to melt together and it was fine....

We also tried out the diapers we were given on our little giant! The Gro baby ones are seriously cool. I believe the new name is GroVia, but still super cool. They fit our little giant and we even have disposable inserts to take with us when we're out and about! Thank you new friend from base who also cloth diapers your little one! We think these are awesome so as soon as my swagbucks gift cards for amazon come through I'm ordering one from there and I still have some store credit at Franklin goose so I'll order one from there as well! Yay free or discounted stuff!

We also tried the Hiney Lineys and they are super nice. I really liked them, but I have a little giant and he's almost grown out of the mediums, but I have a lovely friend who also cloth diapers so I'll pass them on to her! With some clothes cause my little giant just grows right through them all like a weed! We also used the Goodmama one she gave us and that is the freakin' softest diaper I have ever seen and felt on a baby....I think it needs a cover but we used it without one cause it was so freakin' cute! I would LOVE to have more Goodmamas but they are currently not in my budget and to find a used one someone hasn't snatched up is near impossible! Trust me I started looking last night and emailed a billion people! If you know of another cloth diapering sight let me know!!

As for my goals I've lost 10lbs which is nice :) A friend even noticed or she was just being really nice! LOL either way I'm happy with that and to make things even sweeter I think our scale is off by like 7lbs so I'm not as heavy as I thought LMAO or at least I'm hoping the scale at the clinic isn't off!!! Now a new goal of five more pounds is in site...I'm not doing big goals just small ones for now since I'm still learning to handle motherhood lol.

My house is just about under control. I almost have this being a mommy, cleaning, cooking, and just living down! Man was it hard to adjust to my little bundle of joy because I just wanted to make him happy at all times LOL.

I am doing really good at sticking to our budget. I wish I could spend less on groceries still but we shall see if I can get it to come down a little bit more. I have been using a lot of budget friendly meals, but man do a lot of them use ground beef and I've never really been a fan so its so hard for me to eat LOL. I try though I really do and I'm trying to make sure they are healthier meals cause I don't need the weight and neither does my big giant! Plus now with my little giant eating baby food our bill has gone up a little so I'll find a way to bring it down a little...maybe cutting out my soda which I don't need but I'm oh so addicted too!

I almost have my front room organized and gave away a bunch and I mean a bunch of clothes I think the rest I'm just going to bag up and donate to the clothing drive on base. If you could have seen how much I gave away you'd be surprised and to think I went through them all before we moved here got rid of a ton. Did it agian at the first house in Italy and then again here only to give literally the biggest garbage bag of clothes ever to a friend and I still have an ass load! But the will be gone this weekend my friends!

I also start another class this fall. I am only taking two. One each term and limiting myself so I don't overwhelm myself becaue after all I have my child and doggies to take care of now! But when I'm done with these two classes I will be officially half way done with my degree! Yay me! No associates because I'm still a few classes short for that one...need a math and a couple classes I can't take until I take that math class, so the hubby and I are going to have to figure it out so I can take it in person because there is no way in hell I'm going to take a math class online! Its been like 8 years since I took one!

Monday, August 9, 2010

We started our weekend Friday night with some super amazing people. We went to a cook out at our friends house and hung out, talked, watched movies, and just had a good ole time with them and another family that we adore! They have a daughter baby boy's age and she is literally the only baby he will give the time of day! It is so weird and so cute!! We got some really cute pics of them together but out of respect of our friends will not post the pics without their permission. If you're close family I already sent you some so check your emails!

The next day our friends with the baby girl came over and had lunch with us. I made a simple light lunch and it was yummy and everyone enjoyed it. I made a garden fresh pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, cucumber, brocoli, diced pepperoni, parmesan cheese, red pepper Italian dressing adn rotini noodles. It was so yummy! We had little ham and swiss sandwiches on rolls and this super easy and light and fluffy pineapple salad. It has crushed pineapples that you let the marshmallows soak up the juices and then you fold in some cool whip. Its so simple yet so yummy! The babies talked and it was fun to watch their little girls mind work. She figured out how to get the toy off the toy bar and couldn't reach the other one so unhooked one side of the toy bar so it could be lowered! She is only four months old by the way but her reasoning skills are amazing!! We were pretty lazy the rest of the day, but it was a great weekend!

As many of you know I cloth diaper and I love it. We do it cause its great for our son and also great for the environment so its a win win, but its hard to find diapers that are worth using and I thought I had done well. I have read everything I can get my hands on, joined forums to get opinions and well I got some crappy diapers. It was my fault. I should have known better than to order facotry seconds, but I did because it was a great deal! (Although I have heard its not just the factory seconds) These are the Nubunz (http://www.nubunz.com/) and I wasn't thrilled with them anyways because my baby boy pees right through them and are just not a good day to day diaper and definitely not a nap time or over night diaper! But now recently they PUL has been separating (we've only been using them 2 months) and ripping making them absolutely useless! I do have my Kawaii diapers that I LOVE, but this is making my stash go down more than I like! (Kawaii diapers can be found at http://www.theluvyourbaby.com/ and I can seriously say we LOVE these) I did have a super nice Mama give us some Bum Genius all in ones and pockets and those are way expensive compared to the Kawaii brand ones and not even as good! I wouldn't recommend those to anyone either. Most pics that you see of our little one you'll see him in the Kawaii brand ones. On Sunday another awesome Mama gave me a few more diapers and I'm really excited to try them. One brand is Gro Baby diapers and they are like this hybrid diaper that has a cloth insert and when you go out you can use a disposable insert (which she gave us two diapers, cloth inserts, and a box of disposable ones!!). These look like they could be our out and about diaper and I'm considering buying an extra diaper or two! She also gave me a Goodmama diaper and I'm so excited to try that one! It is so cute and soft and plush and oh how I wish I could afford more of those ones just beause I love the way it feels LOL. Hopefully it works well on my little ones bum! She also gave me another diaper I have never heard of but it is definitely interesting. I'm going to try one on my little man after his nap today! They are called Hiney Lineys (http://www.hineylineys.com/) and they are a pocket diaper (which I'm obsessed with pocket diapers) and can be reused you just take the insert and liner out and replace them. Thank you mamas for giving us diapers to try! If any of you have cloth diapers that need a new home and you're wanting to giveaway/sell for an affordable price let me know! I am looking to replace my Nubunz as they tear and have almost reached my diaper budget (we're seriously on a tight budget) so anything would help! Plus I LOVE learning about new diapers! Who know there were like thousands of them out there!!!!

I am getting my Gro Baby diaper from amazon through gift cards I earned through swagbucks! Just thought I'd share that little bit of info as well LOL, so with that extra diaper I'm not using any of my budget but getting it for free!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

1. I know I told ya'll that I entered a contest to win a surprise piece of beautiful jewelry from Stella & Dot that Mrs. Sergeant is selling and was hosting the giveaway. Well I finally got my piece of jewelry in the mail! It is so cute! I LOVE it!

I was so surprised when it came in the mail because I had forgot all about it and the hubby is the one who picks it up from the post office so he walked in the house and was like what are you ordering now?!?! I was like ummm...nothing that I can remember?!?! LOL. THANK YOU MRS. SERGEANT FOR THE GORGEOUS PIECE OF JEWELRY!!!

2. I made my first White Chili recipe and it was actually pretty gosh darn good. I was really surprised considering the recipe I decided to try had cinnamon in it! I know weird right...well I was a bit scared so only added half of what the recipe called for which was a good call otherwise I think it would have been too strong! My hubby absolutely loved it though so that is always a good sign (he even took leftovers to work for lunch!) and we had some guests over and they loved it as well. So this recipe is def a keeper! I'll post it here and also on my recipe blog Recipes to Live By.

White Chili with Ground Turkey

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

2 (4 ounce) cans canned green chile peppers, chopped

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

ground cayenne pepper to taste

ground white pepper to taste

3 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans

5 cups chicken broth

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the onion, garlic and ground turkey and saute for 10 minutes, or until turkey is well browned. Add the chile peppers, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cayenne pepper to taste and white pepper to taste and saute for 5 more minutes.

2. Add two cans of the beans and the chicken broth to the pot. Take the third can of beans and puree them in a blender or food processor. Add this to the pot along with the cheese. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.

I served it with a sweet corn bread yum! It was a hit and will be made again in the future!

3. Baby boy had his 4 month check up and it was all good news! The doctors and nurses loved his as usual and everyone said he was the happiest baby they have ever seen (so that was so neat to hear considering he was actually grumpy and needed a nap! So I guess his grumpy really isn't that bad LOL). He is in the 82% for his age...is about 25 inches long and about 17 lbs! Such a big boy! They told us we are doing great by him and to keep doing what we are doing! He is already eating solids. He loves green beans, pears, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and peaches, so far and doesn't care for bananas but I think its cause of whatever they add to the bananas to make them gooey...so I think I'm going to start making his baby food fresh every morning when I get our meals done. He is also talking like crazy! It is so freaking cute, seriously words cannot describe how freaking cute he sounds. The hubby and I can literally sit here and listen to him all day! He also loves books and being read to and will just sit there and stare at the book and listen to whatever you have to say about the page so cute!

4. We are also going on a day trip later this month so excited, so stay tuned for those pics! If you haven't already go look at baby boy's photo shot and the day we spent in Fregona!